Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress Spurge)
A source of fascination in the garden for its interesting flower heads, Euphorbia cyparissias is a very showy perennial which enjoys months of chartreuse flowers.
A source of fascination in the garden for its interesting flower heads, Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) is a very showy perennial which enjoys months of fragrant chartreuse flowers. A forest of tiny flowers held in umbel-like clusters appear in spring or early summer, consisting primarily of glowing lime-yellow bracts that slowly fade to red-orange as they mature. The foliage resembles that of a miniature cypress tree, hence its common name.
- Typically growing up to 12 in. (30 cm), Cypress Spurge is an erect, branching, rhizomatous plant which can rapidly spread to form a bushy ground cover. So, give it its own space as it is an aggressive grower!
- Remaining attractive during all its growing season, this remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is drought, deer & rabbit tolerant and is easy to care for.
- A full sun lover (tolerates very light shade), it thrives in dry, well-drained soils. Poor soils, including rock or sandy ones are welcomed!
- Perfect as ground cover for dry, sunny slopes, beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens or cottage gardens.
- Can be invasive, particularly in rich, moist soils! So, be prepared to carry out judicious pruning and digging or thinning out as required!
- Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
- Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.
- Wear gloves when cutting as both stems and leaves contain a poisonous milky sap.
- Native to Europe.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4 – 8 |
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Heat Zones | 1 – 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Euphorbia – Spurges |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall |
Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 12″ – 18″ (30cm – 45cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |